Auto play pen or auto bed



Dec. 13, 1960 M. HERRMANN 7 2,963,711

AUTO PLAY PEN OR AUTO BED Filed June 18, 1958 26 In Q 2 INVENTOR.

Fr 9 MELVIN HERRMA mv United States Patent AUTO PLAY PEN R AUTO BED Melvin Herrmann, 179 Bonham Road, Wyoming, Ohio Filed June 18, 1958, Ser. No. 742,860

1 Claim. (Cl. --94) This invention relates to automotive vehicles and more particularly to a bi-level accessory therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable infant enclosure for the rear seat section of automobiles that is completely adjustable so as to define a play or sleeping bi-level area of substantially any desired size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable infant enclosure for automobiles of the above bi-level type that is constructed from a plurality of substantially fiat panels that are easily collapsed for storage in a small compact area.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a knockdown type of auto bi-level play pen or auto bi-level bed bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable infant enclosure for automobiles made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the panels of a main leg member forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a bottom edge view of the element shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing another leg member element;

Figure 5 is a bottom edge view of the element shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a deck board forming another part of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a bottom edge view of the element shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of an adjustable runner element forming another part of the present invention; and

Figure 9 is a top edge view of the member shown in Figure 8.

Referring now to the drawing, an adjustable infant enclosure 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a pair of adjustable main leg assemblies 12, each including a base panel 13 and an extension panel 17. Each such base panel 13 is provided with a front opening securement slot 14 and an intermediate longitudinal slot 15. Each extension panel 17 is provided with a rearwardly opening slot 18 and an intermediate longitudinal slot 19. A pair of wing nut and bolt assemblies 21 extend through the intermediate slots 15, 19 of the panels and slidably secure them together. Substantially all of the bottom edge portions of said main leg assemblies resting upon the sitting portion of the rear seat in a longitudinal position relative to the length of the automobile.

A runner unit 23 including a pair of substantialy identical panels 24, each having a transverse edge slot 25 and a longitudinal intermediate slot 26 are slidably supported in juxtaposed relationship by means of a pair of wing nut and bolt assemblies 27 that extend through the intermediate slots 26. The edge slots 25 at the outermost ends of these panels 24 interlock with the front opening slot 14 of each base panel 13 of the leg assemblies, thus securing them together.

In actual use, the runner unit panels 24 are opened a desired amount according to the inside width of the automobile and depending upon the desired portion of the rear seat of the automobile to be occupied by the enclosure. The extension panels 17 of the leg assemblies are then extended longitudinally according to the interior depth of the automobile horizontal rear seat cushion and the distance between the front edge portion of the said horizontal cushion and the substantially vertical back wall of the front seat, the horizontal runner unit panels 24 extending over the space between the forward edge of the said horizontal rear seat cushion and the vertical rear wall of the front seat and thereby forming an elevated fioor portion thereover, whereby the entire lateral area between the leg assemblies and between the back rear wall of the front seat and the vertical wall portion of the rear seat extending upwardly above the horizontal rear seat defines the area into which the child can be p aced for playing or sleeping purposes. A deck panel 50 is placed upon the top edges of the leg assemblies in order to provide a flat surface for any other desired purpose, such as for dressing the child or the like. When not in use, all of the parts are quickly disassembled and placed in a fiat position for storage purposes.

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What i claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A knock-down panel bi-level type enclosure to be applied to a rear seat section of an automobile to limit reposing and playing space thereon for an infant and to guard against the infant falling from the rear seat of the automobile comprising, in combination, a pair of adjustable vertical main leg members of rectangular configuration, each comprising a base panel and a juxtaposed extension panel, an adjustable horizontal runner unit comprising a pair of rectangular panels in juxtaposition and each embodying a closed longitudinal slot, and a plurality of cooperating fastening means for detachab'y connecting the juxtaposed panels to each other, each of said base panels provided with a closed intermediate longitudinal slot and an open front longitudinal securement slot, each of said extension panels provided with a closed intermediate longitudinal slot and an open rear horizontal slot in horizontal alignment with each other, each of said rectangular panels of said runner unit embodying an elevated transversely extending securement slot opening in a common direction at the opposite ends thereof and terminating at the rear edge thereof, said front securement slots of said base panels slidably receiving the securement slotted ends of said runner unit rectangular panels supporting said runner unit at an elevated level relative to the lower edges of said leg members, said cooperating fastening means comprising bolts embodying wing nuts on the threaded ends thereof, said bolts slidably received within said longitudinal slots in said panels slidably securing said juxtaposed panels together with said wing nuts, said bolts and wing nuts permitting reciprocating longitudinal movement and adjustment of said panels, whereby substantially all of the lower portion of the base panels and the extension panels may rest upon the horizontal top surface of the rear seat of the automobile, the top surface of the rear seat between said leg members forming one level portion for the child Patented Dec. 13, 1960.

1 3 and the horizontal runner unit forms a horizontal floor elevated above the level of the rear seat and extending between the rear seat and the back vertical portion of the front seat, and whereby said panel type elosu re forms a bi-level imit which may be quickly assembled andknocked-dowri for use aild nod-use in the rear seat' section of an automobile.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS DeFranco May 25, 1926 Redman Mar. 20, 1945 Brooks May 6, 1952 Reggiani Feb. 2, 1954 Rose Mar. 16, 1954 Buell May 7, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 16, 1917 

